Fixing your own computer is getting easier, but only if you are willing to take the time.  Here are some initial steps:

First, if you have any idea of what, if any, software was installed recently, that may be a clue.  But even if you don't, you may have simply been a victim of 'drive-by' malware - you visit a website or open and email, click on a link, or otherwise allow malware to get a foothold in your computer system.  Diagnosis for computers is similar for doctors - first you want to find out what hurts where.  Which programs aren't working right, what is happening.  These are clues that can point to a specific piece of software that is malfunctioning.

• If the computer is running (just slowly or in fits and starts), I'd suggest you start with Positek's 80/80/20/20 rule:

  • 80% of computer problems can be solved by restarting the computer,

  • of the 20% that are left, 80% of those problems can be solved by updating your software,

  • of the 20% that are left (now we're talking 4% of all computer problems), you need to take more drastic action.

Ok, so now you're in that 4%, now what?

• If your computer will startup in Windows, but is slow or hangs, try booting into Safe Mode:

  1. Start with the computer shut down.  Press the power button to start up, and then start tapping the F8 key on your keyboard.

  2. After a little bit, a old DOS-style screen will show up.  Near the top, will be some Safe Mode startup options.  Use your keyboard arrow keys to move up to "Safe Mode with Networking", and press the Enter key.

  3. Be patient!  The screen will fill up with lines of text, which is Windows overwriting a bunch of basic files that may have been corrupted.

  4. At some point, a different sort of Windows will start up.  You will see a window pop up that tells you about the differences between Safe mode and System Restore.  You want to continue to startup in Safe mode.

  5. You'll finally get a somewhat normal Windows Desktop.  It'll show Safe Mode in the four corners, and you won't have most devices loaded, but Windows will be functional. 

  6. At this point, just restart the computer and let it go through it's normal boot-up process. Chances are, your system will startup ok, and may be more useable than it was before.

At this point, you may want to consider using some software tools to help you:

Malwarebytes Anti-malware is a great tool for identifying and removing malware Free, at www.malwarebytes.org	Iolo's System Mechanic 9 is great at fixing Windows registry problems $40 at www.iolo.com	F-Secure's Blacklight Rootkit Eliminator is good at detecting and removing nasty rootkits Free, at http://www.f-secure.com/en_US/security/security-lab/tools-and-services/blacklight/index.html
Webroot's Spy Sweeper is a good spyware removal and protection tool $40 at www.webroot.com	Mozy has a good online backup solution to protect your data automatically and constantly $50 a year per computer, at www.mozy.com	Carbonite also has a good online backup solution, also offers remote access to your files $55 a year per computer, at www.carbonite.com
LogMeIn offers remote access that is easy to use, and very safe.  We use it exclusively for remote access to our clients' computers. Free and fee versions at www.logmein.com	Support.com (yourtechonline.com merged with them) offers quality telephone and remote tech support $50 and up for one-time fixes, $20 per month (and up) per computer for support contract plans at www.support.com	PC Tools offers both Spyware Doctor and Registry Mechanic, good tools for cleaning up your system $30 each at www.pctools.com

Of course, if you are totally stuck and need our help (and are in the Washington DC metro area), we'd be happy to help you.  Please

If you have experience with these or other tools, we'd like to hear from you.  with any details you'd like to share with other netizens.